A&P vs Avionics Technician...
- Thread starter Shiftace
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Roger Roger
Bottom of the list
I'll try to write something up this evening. Short answer, yes but.
Roger Roger
Bottom of the list
Ok. Yes, you can be an avionics tech without an A&P but you would have to be employed by a part 145 repair station. I'm not in that world so I don't know what you'd have to do (school, OJT, sweep floors and work your way up) to get hired. I know that there are schools out there for avionics but the ones I'm familiar with target guys with an A&P and a couple years experience who want the formal avionics piece of their education.
CrimsonEclipse
Well-Known Member
You can be an avionics technician without any license.
An FAA airframe license is desired if the operation requires you to sign off an airplane to airworthiness.
Other operations require a GROL (FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License) ((also lookup RADAR endorsement))
There are other non-government licenses and certificates out there that hold a certain amount of pull to certain companies but are not universally accepted.
Experience is a larger factor than licenses here. Working with wires, troubleshooting, wiring harnesses, troubleshooting, installs, troubleshooting, wiring diagrams, and troubleshooting.
I acquired my licenses through self study. Went for the Amateur Radio License then the GROL later on. Some schools teach it, may or may not be worth it.
A+P helps a LOT and makes you more versatile.
CE
An FAA airframe license is desired if the operation requires you to sign off an airplane to airworthiness.
Other operations require a GROL (FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License) ((also lookup RADAR endorsement))
There are other non-government licenses and certificates out there that hold a certain amount of pull to certain companies but are not universally accepted.
Experience is a larger factor than licenses here. Working with wires, troubleshooting, wiring harnesses, troubleshooting, installs, troubleshooting, wiring diagrams, and troubleshooting.
I acquired my licenses through self study. Went for the Amateur Radio License then the GROL later on. Some schools teach it, may or may not be worth it.
A+P helps a LOT and makes you more versatile.
CE
Andrew_Neal
Well-Known Member
Pretty much sums it up...
I started in aviation as an avionics technician in the military, spent about a year total in various schools and then went on to work on helicopter avionics for another 4 years. Not sure how you'd go about it in the civilian world. If I had to guess I'd say find a community college with some aviation/electronics/avionics courses, certificates or degrees and do that. It's possible to be an avionics technician without an A&P; especially if you focus more on bench level stuff as a technician with somebody like Honeywell or Rockwell Collins.. but if you actually want to be around the airport or get on with companies that work directly with the aircraft - then you will definitely need an A&P due to FARs.
I wish I had done mine while I was still in the military!
Edit: And the FCC license.. you'll need that as well - as Crimson mentioned. Bottom line, if you ever want to make more than $25/hr as an avionics guy I'd try and get every certification you can.
SteamgaugeSweetie
Member
30 years ago you could work as an avionics tech with a GROL. Now most airlines want both the GROL and the A&P. However 145 Repair Stations still hire avionics with (and sometimes without) a GROL. You can still get your A&P if you can come up with 36 month's of documented experience and a letter from your supervisor. So, the short answer is work for a 145 Repair Station for 36 months, get your boss to sign a letter and take that to the FSDO. Then it's up to the inspector as to whether or not he feels comfortable allowing you to challenge the tests (take your written, oral and practical) and get your A&P. Another way to do it is working for Boeing. But the local FSDO in Seattle refused Boeing workers. They are coming around. The issue with they had with Boeing is the workers were lacking any knowledge outside of their specific job. In other words you might only seal fuel tanks and have no clue about anything else. The inspector is gonna wanna see systems knowledge. You will have to work your way up to getting that kind of experience there.
You can still find places that will help you get your GROL. Federal Exams out of OKC is one. They will also get you your A&P with once you get "blessed" by a FSDO. That's where I got my A&P. Good Luck!
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